1 Samuel 26:13
New International Version
Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of the hill some distance away; there was a wide space between them.

New Living Translation
David climbed the hill opposite the camp until he was at a safe distance.

English Standard Version
Then David went over to the other side and stood far off on the top of the hill, with a great space between them.

Berean Standard Bible
Then David crossed to the other side and stood atop the mountain at a distance; there was a wide gulf between them.

King James Bible
Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them:

New King James Version
Now David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of a hill afar off, a great distance being between them.

New American Standard Bible
Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of the mountain at a distance with a large area between them.

NASB 1995
Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of the mountain at a distance with a large area between them.

NASB 1977
Then David crossed over to the other side, and stood on top of the mountain at a distance with a large area between them.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of the mountain at a distance with a large area between them.

Amplified Bible
Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on the top of the mountain at a distance, with a large area between them.

Christian Standard Bible
David crossed to the other side and stood on top of the mountain at a distance; there was a considerable space between them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
David crossed to the other side and stood on top of the mountain at a distance; there was a considerable space between them.

American Standard Version
Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of the mountain afar off; a great space being between them;

Contemporary English Version
David and Abishai crossed the valley and went to the top of the next hill, where they were at a safe distance.

English Revised Version
Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of the mountain afar off; a great space being between them:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
David went over to the other side and stood on top of the hill some distance away. (There was a wide space between them.)

Good News Translation
Then David crossed over to the other side of the valley to the top of the hill, a safe distance away,

International Standard Version
Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on top of the hill some distance away with a large distance between them.

Majority Standard Bible
Then David crossed to the other side and stood atop the mountain at a distance; there was a wide gulf between them.

NET Bible
Then David crossed to the other side and stood on the top of the hill some distance away; there was a considerable distance between them.

New Heart English Bible
Then David crossed over to the other side and stood on the top of the hill some distance away; there was a great distance between them.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of a hill afar off; a great space being between them:

World English Bible
Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of the mountain far away, a great space being between them;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And David passes over to the other side, and stands on the top of the hill far off—great [is] the place between them;

Young's Literal Translation
And David passeth over to the other side, and standeth on the top of the hill afar off -- great is the place between them;

Smith's Literal Translation
And David will pass over to the other side, and he will stand upon the head of the mountain from afar, and much place between them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when David was gone over to the other side. and stood on the top of the hill afar off, and a good space was between them,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when David had crossed over to the opposite side, and had stood upon the top of the hill far away, so that there was a great interval between them,

New American Bible
Crossing over to an opposite slope, David stood on a distant hilltop. With a great distance between them

New Revised Standard Version
Then David went over to the other side, and stood on top of a hill far away, with a great distance between them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then David went over to the other side from Saul, and stood on the top of a hill afar off, a great space being between them;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David passed by from the presence of Shaul and stood on the top of the mountain from a great distance
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of the mountain afar off; a great space being between them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of a hill afar off, and there was a good distance between them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Reproves Abner
13Then David crossed to the other side and stood atop the mountain at a distance; there was a wide gulf between them. 14And David shouted to the troops and to Abner son of Ner, “Will you not answer me, Abner?” “Who calls to the king?” Abner replied.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 24:8
After that, David got up, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed facedown in reverence

2 Samuel 16:13
So David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei went along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he yelled curses, threw stones, and flung dust at David.

1 Kings 18:36-40
At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet approached the altar and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command. / Answer me, O LORD! Answer me, so that this people will know that You, the LORD, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back again.” / Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water in the trench. ...

2 Kings 2:15
When the sons of the prophets who were watching him from Jericho saw what had happened, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed down to the ground before him.

2 Kings 6:17-20
Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. / As the Arameans came down against him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, “Please strike these people with blindness.” So He struck them with blindness, according to the word of Elisha. / And Elisha told them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will take you to the man you are seeking.” And he led them to Samaria. ...

Psalm 18:29
For in You I can charge an army, and with my God I can scale a wall.

Psalm 27:1-3
Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread? / When the wicked came upon me to devour my flesh, my enemies and foes stumbled and fell. / Though an army encamps around me, my heart will not fear; though a war breaks out against me, I will keep my trust.

Psalm 31:20
You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the schemes of men. You conceal them in Your shelter from accusing tongues.

Psalm 91:7-8
Though a thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, no harm will come near you. / You will only see it with your eyes and witness the punishment of the wicked.

Proverbs 18:10
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Isaiah 54:17
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.

Matthew 4:1-11
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. / After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. / The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” ...

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Matthew 26:55
At that time Jesus said to the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would an outlaw? Every day I sat teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest Me.

Mark 14:48-49
Jesus asked the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would an outlaw? / Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest Me. But this has happened that the Scriptures would be fulfilled.”


Treasury of Scripture

Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of an hill afar off; a great space being between them:

the top

1 Samuel 24:8
David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.

Judges 9:7
And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.

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Afar Area Crossed David Distance Hill Large Mountain Passeth Side Space Standeth Stood Top
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Afar Area Crossed David Distance Hill Large Mountain Passeth Side Space Standeth Stood Top
1 Samuel 26
1. Saul, by the discovery of the Ziphites, comes to Hachilah against David
4. David coming into the trench keeps Abishai from killing Saul,
11. but takes his spear and jug
13. David reproves Abner
17. and exhorts Saul
21. Saul acknowledges his sin














Then David crossed over to the other side
This phrase marks a pivotal moment in the narrative, showcasing David's strategic acumen and his reliance on God's guidance. The Hebrew root for "crossed over" is "עָבַר" (avar), which often signifies a transition or movement from one place to another. In the biblical context, crossing over can symbolize a change in status or a new phase in one's spiritual journey. David's crossing over is not just a physical movement but also a demonstration of his wisdom in evading Saul's pursuit. Historically, this act reflects David's ability to navigate the challenging terrain of the Judean wilderness, a testament to his survival skills and God's providence.

and stood on top of the mountain
The imagery of standing on a mountain is rich with biblical symbolism. Mountains in Scripture often represent places of revelation, encounter with God, and vantage points for seeing God's plan. The Hebrew word for "mountain" is "הַר" (har), which can also imply strength and stability. David's position on the mountain signifies his moral and spiritual high ground over Saul, who is pursuing him unjustly. This setting also echoes other biblical narratives where mountains serve as places of divine encounter and protection, such as Moses on Mount Sinai or Elijah on Mount Carmel.

at a distance
The phrase "at a distance" underscores the separation between David and Saul, both physically and spiritually. The Hebrew term "מֵרָחוֹק" (merachoq) conveys not just physical space but also a relational and ethical distance. David maintains this distance to avoid unnecessary conflict and to demonstrate his respect for Saul's anointed position as king, despite Saul's intent to harm him. This act of maintaining distance is a reflection of David's integrity and his commitment to God's timing and justice.

there was a wide gulf between them
The "wide gulf" signifies more than just a physical chasm; it represents the deep divide between David and Saul's understanding of God's will and kingship. The Hebrew word "גָּדוֹל" (gadol) for "wide" emphasizes the significant separation in their paths and purposes. This gulf is emblematic of the spiritual and moral divide that has grown between Saul, who has strayed from God's commands, and David, who seeks to honor God in his actions. The narrative context highlights David's patience and trust in God's plan, as he refrains from taking matters into his own hands, waiting for God's appointed time for his ascension to the throne.

(13) David went over to the other side.--That is to say, after taking the royal spear and cruse of water from beside the sleeping king, David with Abishai left the camp of Saul, then, crossing the deep ravine, re-ascended the opposite hill or mountain--there was then a deep gorge between him and the camp--and uttered his shrill cry, which awoke the sleeping sentinel, who seems at once to have roused Abner. Keil calls attention here to the special notice in the text that the mountain whence David spoke was afar off, not, as we should say, "as the crow flies," but afar, because a deep steep ravine lay between the camp of Saul and the hill on which David and Abishai stood. "On the previous occasion when, in the cave of En-gedi, the son of Jesse cut off the skirt of the royal garment, David fearlessly cried to Saul when the king was still evidently quite close to the cave. Now, however, he seems to have reckoned far less upon any change in the state of Saul's mind than he had done before . . . in fact, he rather feared lest Saul should endeavour to get him into his power as soon as he woke from his sleep."

Verses 13-16. - The top of a hill. Hebrew, "the top of the hill," the particular mountain from which David had reconnoitred Saul's camp (ver. 5). A great space being between them. At En-gedi Saul was alone, and had placed himself in David's power; he therefore had followed him closely. Here Saul had his army round him, and David had entered his camp by stealth. It is not, therefore, till he had placed an ample interval between them that he calls to Abner, and asks in derision, Art thou not a man? The irony is enfeebled by the insertion of the word valiant (comp. 1 Samuel 4:9). No special valour was needed;any one worthy of the name of man ought to have guarded his master better. Who is like to thee - Hebrew, "who is as thou" - in Israel? Among all Saul's subjects there was no one so powerful and highly placed as the commander-in-chief, and he ought to have shown himself worthy of his pre-eminence. Justly, therefore, for neglecting his duty and exposing the king to danger, he and his people were worthy to die. Hebrew, "sons of death" (see on 1 Samuel 20:31). Finally David bids him search for the king's spear and water bottle, that he may understand how completely Saul had been in his power. It has been suggested that Abner was probably a personal enemy of David, with whom he could never have held the high position which he occupied with his near relative Saul. Possibly instead of dissuading Saul from persecuting David, he stirred up his ill feelings. Still absolutely there is nothing in this banter which was not justified by Abner's official position.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then David
דָּוִד֙ (dā·wiḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

crossed
וַיַּעֲבֹ֤ר (way·ya·‘ă·ḇōr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

to the other side
הָעֵ֔בֶר (hā·‘ê·ḇer)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5676: A region across, on the opposite side

and stood
וַיַּעֲמֹ֥ד (way·ya·‘ă·mōḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

atop
רֹאשׁ־ (rōš-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7218: The head

the mountain
הָהָ֖ר (hā·hār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

at a distance—
מֵֽרָחֹ֑ק (mê·rā·ḥōq)
Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7350: Remote, of place, time, precious

there was a wide
רַ֥ב (raḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

gulf
הַמָּק֖וֹם (ham·mā·qō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

between them.
בֵּינֵיהֶֽם׃ (bê·nê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 996: An interval, space between


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OT History: 1 Samuel 26:13 Then David went over to the other (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 26:12
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